rare S3 W2 / reə $ rer / 形容词 ( comparative rarer , superlative rarest )

1 not seen or found very often, or not happening very often 反义词 common → unusual :

This species of plant is becoming increasingly rare.

I only saw Helen on the rare occasions when I went into her shop.

it is rare (for somebody/something) to do something

It is rare to find such an interesting group of people.

It is very rare for her to miss a day at school.

2 meat that is rare has only been cooked for a short time and is still red → underdone , well-done :

I like my steak rare.

3 [仅用于名词前] British English old-fashioned very good or surprising :

We had a rare old time at the party.

THESAURUS

rare not existing in large numbers or in large amounts : The law prevents the export of rare birds. | The plates are quite rare. Only about a hundred were made.

scarce not available in large enough numbers or amounts at a particular time – used especially about things people need : After the war, food and clothing were scarce. | People are having to compete for scarce resources.

not common [名词前不用] fairly rare : Silver coins of this period are not common, and could be very valuable.

infrequent formal not happening often : As time went on, her visits became more and more infrequent.

be few and far between to not be common – especially much less common than you might expect : Luckily, accidents such as these are few and far between. | Bargains are, unfortunately, few and far between.

be (something of) a rarity if something or someone is a rarity, it is surprising to find one, because very few exist : Women are still something of a rarity in senior management positions.

be like hen’s teeth informal to be extremely rare : Good Greek restaurants are like hen’s teeth around here.